Skin Lightening / Whitening products

[QuirkyCool]

Thanks for clarifying this,ladies.Because the thought of actual skin lightening creams is just...*scary*.

It does sound as if the lady posing the question wants something to actually lighten her skin colour,though...

 

[mb117]

^ I think chanel sells a whitening cream in Japan.

 

[Melisande]

Thanks for clarifying this,ladies.Because the thought of actual skin lightening creams is just...*scary*.

It does sound as if the lady posing the question wants something to actually lighten her skin colour,though...

You're welcome Quirky! I totally understand where you're coming from, since lighter skin IS still valued in some cultures--probably as a remnant of Western colonialism, directly or indirectly--which is actually really sad.

I think the original poster perhaps just wants to undo her tan...she says "thanks to the Aussie sun"...maybe she's originally pale?...in which case obviously a higher SPF factor is needed...and if so, these "whitening" or "radiance" products will work...they do lighten spots and tans and scars.

 

[Someday]

Haven't tried personally, so this is just speculation, not experience......
the current "whitening-du-jour" trend is to take a glutathione supplement.

It is supposedly very effective at shutting down your body's melanin production, which is what causes it to tan/darken. Darker people naturally have more melanin than naturally fair people.

I wouldn't count on it alone but maybe you're curious and can see..........

 

[Pinky*]

since lighter skin IS still valued in some cultures--probably as a remnant of Western colonialism, directly or indirectly--which is actually really sad.

actually thats a very common misconception.. I once even saw that idea televised

preference for pale skin, in many cultures, comes from the idea that the pale skin are for the rich/wealthy. and since fashion used trickle from the top to the bottom, people found that beautiful. The rich women would never be dark since they didn't have to do any menial labour such as farming under the sun, etc..

In some places, they would always like to keep themselves plump to distinguish themselves from the poorer who could not afford as much food..

yeah so if one day this comes up in a trivial pursuit game..

 

[Greendrv]

What about lightening of freckles? I should have listened to my mother all these years and worn sunscreen everyday, but now I have freckles. At first it didn't bother me, but now some of the freckles are merging to form larger freckles and my skin is starting to look "dirty." I'm Asian, but have fair skin.

 

[sssanguine]

Dior Snow is a pretty awesome line. In regards to Asian cultures and wanting lighter skin, it is NOT a feat to become one of the Anglos, it's been a trait favored by their culture for thousand of years. Tanned skin means laborer and harshness, light skin is doll-like and delicate, that's just what they consider beautiful to them. However, I know a lot of asians who also like darker tanner skin to achieve that 'golden' glow too. So to each their own.

 

[fleur137]

I think the original poster perhaps just wants to undo her tan...she says "thanks to the Aussie sun"...maybe she's originally pale?...in which case obviously a higher SPF factor is needed...and if so, these "whitening" or "radiance" products will work...they do lighten spots and tans and scars.

yeah i was originally pale. when i came to Aus as a kid, i was actually pale but i didn't care much about it cos why would a kid care about their skin when they can play? but now i'm really regretting all those times i walked out without sunscreen/hat...

 

[Melisande]

actually thats a very common misconception.. I once even saw that idea televised

preference for pale skin, in many cultures, comes from the idea that the pale skin are for the rich/wealthy. and since fashion used trickle from the top to the bottom, people found that beautiful. The rich women would never be dark since they didn't have to do any menial labour such as farming under the sun, etc..

In some places, they would always like to keep themselves plump to distinguish themselves from the poorer who could not afford as much food..

yeah so if one day this comes up in a trivial pursuit game..

Oh wow Pinky that makes total sense...thanks for that info!

 

[PrincessImp.]

What about lightening of freckles? I should have listened to my mother all these years and worn sunscreen everyday, but now I have freckles. At first it didn't bother me, but now some of the freckles are merging to form larger freckles and my skin is starting to look "dirty." I'm Asian, but have fair skin.

You sound like you have the same type of complexion as my sis!

Her freckles have diminished after she started using SKII's Whitening source (I sound like a broken record, don't I?) and sunblock.
So maybe you'll like to try that out...

 

[Stylephox]

You sound like you have the same type of complexion as my sis!

Her freckles have diminished after she started using SKII's Whitening source (I sound like a broken record, don't I?) and sunblock.
So maybe you'll like to try that out...

I second that! I've been using SKII regularly for about a month now and apparently my skin is much paler and my blemishes (freckles) not so noticeable. Ummm...I also just moved to SE England and the weather here isn't so awesome but SKII helped the most I think

 

[cbcb]

I second that! I've been using SKII regularly for about a month now and apparently my skin is much paler and my blemishes (freckles) not so noticeable. Ummm...I also just moved to SE England and the weather here isn't so awesome but SKII helped the most I think

Hmm. Interesting. I've always (well, for quite awhile now) suspected that just being in a colder, non-sunny climate made me pale out pretty fast (like even if I'd been using sunscreen/block in the hotter, sunnier climate). Wonder if there's some internal cue the body picks up and downregulates melatonin production in conjunction with, or something. (Of course one thing is that a person can be less flushed and red when out of a hotter climate.)

 

[QuirkyCool]

cbcb,sunlight stimulates melanin production,so it follows that less is produced when you move to a less sunny climate.

In my case significantly less.I actually become reflective in midwinter.But i tan easily,and when i go on my summer holidays I get brown despite factor 30 everywhere.

I like it both ways I have several shades of foundation and other make-up that I specifically wear in certain seasons or at certain stages of light- or darkness.

 

[BohoBelle]

I'm pale, and the Dior Snow line gives my skin a wonderful glow

 

[Platinum Blonde]

I have almost the same problem exept that I'm not tanned but rather pale but want even paler skin. Maybe you could try the primer Blanc Universel from Chanel.

 

[morena]

It's funny how the grass is always greener on the other side. White girls usually want to be tan...and tan girls want to be white!

Personally, I would KILL for an olive skin complexion, I find it most attractive.

Im olive skinned and tan very easily and I am very happy with my skin color I think that everyone should be happy for what they have, every and each person is very unique!

 

[Pinky*]

i agree.. but i guess sometimes its easier said than done! nowadays it can be really tough for a girl (or guy) to be happy with themselves all the time.. sometimes there are good days.. and some days maybe you don't feel as confident with your looks..

nothing nobodys heard before.. but moisturizing and keeping your skin clean is key! if, when you swipe the toner on your face and see something on the cotton pad, you should wash your face again. a makeup artist friend of mine.. he's 32 now (thats the age he prefers anyhow), he started only a simple clean and moisturize regimen when he was 16. his face is amazing.. poreless, glowing all the time, even in dim light. those simple steps are what he swears by.

using a serum will also brighten your skin (i think i said this before). if you use it in the morning, you might feel like the glow is gone by late afternoon.. but long term use is very beneficial since your skin only absorbs a small amount of moisturizer, while the rest tends to stay on top or evaporate if you're in a dry climate..

ps. if you prefer still, whitening creams generally tend to be less drying than peel-off or 'paper' masks.. always follow up with a moisturizer - its one of the most important steps! and some ppl don't rbr.. but don't forget your neck needs moisturizing too

 

[Golden_butterfly]

^ What is the purpose of a serum?
What does it do? I have no idea.

 

[Pinky*]

there are different kind of serums, e.g. 'anti-wrinkle serum', 'replenishing firming serum', etc. but basically, its like a booster essence. a moisturizing serum will give you serious moisture, and its usually has low viscosity and absorbs quickly. the only thing is you have to follow up with a moisturizer, bc the moisturizer will seal in everything.. hope this helps

 

[Jane Loves Marc]

The clearer (that's not a word, right?) your skin is, the paler it looks. So if you want pale skin, you should focus on clearing up any pimples and grime first!